(Melina Alberti/Clemson University Athletic Communications)
Clemson was doing everything right through the first half of its game against conference rival Florida State, Sunday. The Tigers were out in front 33-27 and holding the 17-ranked Seminoles to 34.5% shooting. But then the second half began, and it was like an entirely different group of players showed up in Garnet and Gold. Florida State hit 15 of 25 from the field (60%) and a sizzling 11 of 18 from behind the 3-point line (61%) on its way to a 72-53 victory in Tallahassee.
The Tigers (5-4, 0-2 ACC), on the other hand, made just 7 of 27 shots in the second half and saw their halftime lead turned into a footnote. Senior guard Tevin Mack led Clemson with 14 points. Freshman guard Al-Amir Dawes joined Mack in double figures with 13 points, but also committed six turnovers.
Head coach Brad Brownell employed three different defenses in the second half, but nothing slowed the Seminoles. Florida State scored just 16 points in the paint, but their 15 3-pointers more than made up for the slow start. The Seminoles also enjoyed a 33-10 advantage in bench scoring. It was just not Clemson’s day as no Tigers player grabbed more than four rebounds or blocked a single shot.
Clemson is next in action playing host to rival South Carolina at 5 p.m., Sunday.
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